Edinburgh looking for repeat of winter fortunes

The Scottish capital side secured six straight victories in all competitions at this stage of the 2008/09 season.

And with the league table showing only Magners League leaders Leinster ahead of them in the current standings, Edinburgh centre Nick de Luca knows that a similar run of results this time around would leave his side in a great position to reach the new end-of-season play offs.

"Hopefully we can kick on the way we did last season," said De Luca, who featured in all three of Scotland's November internationals.

"The boys have had Scotland games, 'A' team outings and opportunities for Gael Force (the combination side competing in the new British and Irish Cup), so it will be a case of getting back together quickly.

"Immediately after visiting Llanelli, we are on the road again to Bath in the Heineken European Cup where the aim will be to repeat the win we managed there in a pre-season friendly a couple of years ago."

But despite returning to his club full of confidence following Scotland's thrilling win over Australia, De Luca admits that Edinburgh will have to be at their best if they are start their next installment of domestic action with a bang.

The Scarlets may be struggling in eighth place in the Magners League table but De Luca knows that the West Wales region are capable of beating anyone on their day.

Nigel Davies' side is packed with international talent and De Luca has warned his colleagues that players of the quality of former Wallaby No8 David Lyons will have to be stopped in the tracks if Edinburgh are to be successful at the Parc y Scarlets.

"We know Lyons will be playing in the back-row and he's a big, strong, ball-carrier who'll have to be stopped at source," added De Luca.

"I have scored tries against Llanelli in the last two seasons, both on occasions at home.

"We travel knowing they are going well and on a high after their European Cup exploits."